By Stella Okocha
Harboursandport.com: Lagos - June 26,2025: Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA in collaboration with the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and INTERFERRY , hosted a two-day 2025 Regional Ferry Safety Conference at the Lagos Continental hotel, Lagos.
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| Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obefimi Hazmat (8th left), Commissioner of Transportation Lagos State, Oluwaseun Osiyemi (7th left), Damilola Emmanuel, Managing Director of LASWA (5th right) And Other Maritime Stakeholders |
The Theme of the event “Charting Safer Waters: Advancing Ferry Safety Through Innovation, Collaboration, and Integrated Transport Solutions,” unveiled a comprehensive blueprint aimed at harmonizing ferry safety standards, improving regional collaboration, and integrating innovative technologies to secure inland waterways in West and Central Africa.
The high profile event had in attendance the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-olu, who was represented by the deputy governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, the Commissioner of Transportation Lagos State, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, ferry operators, transport regulators, safety experts, development partners, community advocates, and representatives from across the West and Central African maritime space.
Delivering his speech at the event, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat emphasized that ferry safety must become a regional priority, calling for a harmonized and technology-driven approach to ensure safe and efficient water transportation across Africa’s growing coastal cities.
Hamzat stated that Lagos has made significant investments in modern ferry terminals, digital monitoring systems, patrol and rescue boats, and locally constructed standard ferries known as Omi Bus, also building a water transport system that is“safe, efficient, accessible, and sustainable; also announcing the establishment of Nigeria’s first Inland Waterways Monitoring and Data Management Centre to improve emergency response and surveillance on Lagos waters.
“In a mega city like Lagos, with over 25 million residents, water transportation is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. However, as we expand this vital sector, we must ensure that safety standards are not only robust but also regionally consistent and technologically advanced.”
“But we must acknowledge that ferry safety is not a local issue, it is a regional imperative. This conference must catalyze a shared commitment to harmonized safety frameworks, intelligence-sharing, standardized training, and the adoption of advanced technologies such as GPS, radar systems, and smart ferry designs.”
Also speaking at the event , Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, highlighted the state’s transformation of its inland waterways, driven by state current administration, pointing that ferry transport is now a cornerstone of urban mobility.
"We have redefined the possibilities on our inland waterways through enhanced investments in terminals and jetties, digital monitoring systems, the distribution of life jackets, and strict safety protocols, safety has emerged as the cornerstone of our water transport reforms.
“Maritime safety is not a destination—it is a continuous journey. This journey requires collaboration, capacity building, and policy alignment. Our goal must be that every ferry passenger across our region feels confident and protected by the systems in place.”
He added that the sole aim of the conference must be to ensure that every passenger, whether in Lagos, Lomé, Accra, or Dakar, boards a ferry with confidence, secure in the knowledge that robust systems and a safety-first culture underlie their journey.
Giving his opening and welcome speech, the Damilola Emmanuel, Managing Director of LASWA, have described the conference as a strategic opportunity to position ferry transport at the center of Africa’s urban mobility and blue economy agenda..
Damilola stated that the 2-day event will gather a dynamic and united regional community comprising policymakers, ferry operators, regulatory bodies, community advocates, and international partners; and together, "we are on a mission to forge a safer, more resilient future for ferry transport across Africa’s magnificent waterways and coastal regions".
"Lagos, with its energy and ambition, is more than an ideal host—it embodies a thriving environment where forward-thinking policymaking, operational excellence, and community involvement intersect around our waterways. This city demonstrates that safe, scalable, and sustainable ferry transport is attainable when public institutions, private operators, and local communities collaborate in harmony".
He added "We seek to position ferry transport as a vital component of urban and regional mobility, alleviating congestion, enhancing connectivity, and promoting environmentally friendly transportation options. We will harness innovation and data from real-time monitoring systems to innovative vessel technologies to protect our precious waterways.. And finally, we will shine a spotlight on the essential role ferry transport plays in Africa’s blue economy, generating jobs, facilitating trade, and fostering sustainable coastal development."
